Roof Replacement in Arlington, MA

Half of the 20,746 homes in Arlington were built before 1945. What the code requires when that roof is replaced, and who signs off, is below.

New Roofing Costs connects homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not perform roofing work.

Call (833) 781-1806 Replacement and new roofs only · homeowners

This number connects homeowners who are planning a new roof or a full roof replacement with independent local roofing contractors. It is not for leak repairs or patch jobs. The call must come from the homeowner who decides on the roof. Calls may be recorded.

A Massachusetts Cape Cod house with a new shingle roof after light snow

The rules for a reroof in Arlington

Permit

Expect a building permit

The residential code’s permit-exempt list (R105.2) has no roofing line. Arlington’s building department issues it, and the application carries the contractor’s HIC registration number.

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 1 amendments (R105)

Layers

Two layers means a tear-off

A new roof may go over one existing layer; with two or more, or over slate, clay or cement tile, everything comes off to the deck (IRC R908.3.1.1). With 86% of Arlington’s homes were built before 1980, ask what is under the newest layer.

Source: IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes); 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 9 amendments

Ice barrier

Required statewide

The state’s climate table marks the ice barrier “yes” statewide. It runs from the eave to 24 inches inside the exterior wall, more on steep roofs (IRC R905.1.2); check that the quote lists it.

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 3 amendments (Tables R301.2(1) and R301.2(2)); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes)

Wind and snow

119 mph design wind, 40 psf ground snow

Arlington’s code design values are a 119 mph ultimate design wind speed and a 40 psf ground snow load (30 psf minimum flat-roof snow load). At that wind speed the code calls for asphalt shingles labeled ASTM D7158 Class G or H (Table R905.2.4.1).

Source: 780 CMR 51.00, Chapter 3 amendments (Tables R301.2(1) and R301.2(2)); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes) (780 CMR 51.00, Table R301.2(2))

Rules as read on October 24, 2026. Code edition, permit and contract rules for the whole state: roof replacement in Massachusetts.

Homes and roofs in Arlington

Of 20,005 occupied homes in Arlington, 12,325 (62%) are owner-occupied. By year built, 47% before 1940, 66% before 1960, 86% before 1980; 8% went up in 2000 or later. (ACS 2020–2024.)

By building type: 38% detached houses, 7% attached single-family houses (rowhouses, twins and townhouses), 29% buildings of two to four units.

On a house built before 1940, ask what the deck is (boards or plywood) and whether slate sits under the later layers: slate can’t be roofed over.

Of the 54 Middlesex County municipalities on this site, Arlington has the 2nd largest share of homes built before 1980: 86%, against a county range of 29% to 87%.

ZIP codes: 02474 · 02476

Arlington and the towns around it

Place	Median built	Before 1980	Owners	Row, twin	Hail days
Arlington	1945	86%	62%	7%	9
Belmont	1938	87%	65%	6%	11
Winchester	1954	78%	82%	9%	10
Medford	1942	76%	54%	7%	10
Watertown	1947	78%	48%	10%	11
Cambridge	1950	68%	34%	7%	13

Median built: median year the homes were built. Before 1980: share of homes built then. Owners: share of homes that are owner-occupied. Row, twin: share of homes that are rowhouses, twins or townhouses. Census ACS 2020–2024. Hail days: days with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, 2006–2025, NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Storm record around Arlington

Since 2006 the National Weather Service has logged hail of 1 inch or larger on 9 separate days within 10 miles of Arlington; the largest was 2 in on August 4, 2015. The most recent was August 23, 2020.

Federal major-disaster declarations for storms in Middlesex County since 2006: 8, most recently DR-4379, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, declared July 2018. (OpenFEMA.)

A report says hail fell near Arlington, not that it damaged a roof. When wind or hail damage means a new roof.

What goes on the roof next

HUD’s useful-life figures are for planning; a warranty is a separate promise. For Arlington’s houses: More in the guides to shingles, metal, slate and flat roofs.

Material	HUD useful life	Fits a house like	Watch for
Asphalt shingles	20 years	Most pitched roofs; 38% of homes here are detached	Class G or H at 119 mph design wind (IRC Table R905.2.4.1)
Metal (standing seam, panels)	50 years	Roofs that will carry solar later	Standing seam that carries its own loads can skip the tear-off (R908.3.1)
Slate	75 years	Older houses; 47% here predate 1940	Can’t be roofed over; check the framing for the weight
Flat roof: EPDM or TPO	15 years	Porches, additions, low-slope rears	Coating is not a replacement

Checking a contractor in Massachusetts

In Arlington the contractor’s HIC registration (M.G.L. c. 142A) and the CSL of the supervisor licensed for roof covering are the two numbers to look up before signing.

The price side is in what a new roof costs in Massachusetts; the paperwork side in checking a roofing contractor.

Questions about a new roof in Arlington

Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Arlington?

Expect a building permit. The residential code’s permit-exempt list (R105.2) has no roofing line. Arlington’s building department issues it, and the application carries the contractor’s HIC registration number.

Can a new roof go over the old one in Arlington?

How old are the houses in Arlington?

By the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024), the median home in Arlington was built in 1945, 86% of homes were built before 1980, 62% are owner-occupied.

How often does hail hit Arlington?

Hail of 1 inch or larger was reported on 9 days within 10 miles of Arlington from 2006 through 2025 (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). A report means hail fell nearby, not that a roof was damaged.

How do I check a roofing contractor in Arlington?